League leaders, Glentoran visit the Ballymena Showgrounds on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm) for the first Carnegie Premier League match of 2007.

The Glens, managed by former Ballymena United striker; Paul Millar, will be looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season on Saturday, as they lost 3-2 at home to Portadown. However, despite the loss; the East Belfast Glens are having a fantastic season so far as they currently sit top of the Irish League and have the CIS Insurance League Cup already in the bag, after defeating Cliftonville in the final last month. Millar will have midfielder Willo McDonagh back from suspension; with Ryan Berry and Cullen Feeney are expected to recover from knocks picked up in the Portadown game. New signing from Longford Town, Dean Fitzgerald, is unavailable for selection as he is on a family holiday.

The two clubs have already met this season, as Glentoran won 2-0 in a one-sided game at the Oval in September; with Darren Lockhart and Kyle Neill grabbing the goals in a game which saw United defender Gordon Simms sent-off. Last season’s reverse fixture had a similar feel to it as the Sky Blues lost 4-0 at the Showgrounds in the penultimate game of the season. In fact, you have to go back to April 2000 for a Ballymena win at the Warden Street as Nigel Best’s United side won 2-1, as they battled against relegation in the 1999/2000 season. Ballymena’s last win against Glentoran came last season when they also won 2-1 with a late Kevin Kelbie winner.

Tommy Wright will be buoyed by his team’s vastly improved performance against Newry City on Saturday, and will likely keep the same team that convincing won 3-1 at the Marshes. New signing Gavin Melaugh should be available for selection, other than that Wright has no fresh injury or suspension problems.

Previous Meetings

28-01-06; Premier League: Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United
22-04-06; Premier League: Ballymena United 0-4 Glentoran
13-12-05; Premier League: Glentoran 1-2 Ballymena United
16-04-05; Premier League: Ballymena United 0-3 Glentoran
19-01-05; Prmier League: Glentoran 4-2 Ballymena United

Form Guide

Ballymena United
League Position: 9th – 19 points.
Top Scorer: Kevin Kelbie & Mark Picking (6)
Home Form (Last 6 Games) - LDDLWL

Glentoran
League Position: 1th – 36 points.
Top Scorer: Gary Hamilton (23)
Away Form (Last 6 Games) – WWWWWD